The Critical Reserve: Post spring depth chart raises questions

Clemson’s football coaching staff released the post-spring depth chart Friday, and when you look at the first team there were no surprises. In fact, the depth chart looks like the one we wrote about at the end of spring practice.

However, to tell the story of Clemson’s football team and to look ahead at what the 2015 season might hold you have to go beyond the starters and look at the players listed as second and third on the depth chart. We already know you have to be seriously deep to make a run, and while the Tigers have the numbers and the talent, they will be young at several positions where depth will be a must.

Clemson’s two-deep features eight starters who are seniors, 11 who are juniors and five who are sophomores. No freshmen are listed as starters, but eight are listed as backups, including four on the offensive line.

Clemson has 11 returning starters, seven on offense, three on defense and one on special teams. This is the fewest total returning starters Clemson has had since the 2007 season when the Tigers also had 11.
This is the fewest returning defensive starters Clemson has had since the 1979 team, Danny FordDanny FordFormer Head CoachView Full Profile’s first full season, had just three.

Clemson has just 43 returning lettermen, 22 on offense, 20 on defense and one on special teams. This is the fewest returning lettermen Clemson has had since the 2003 season when that team also had 43 returning lettermen.

While Clemson has just 10 returning starters from the offensive and defensive units combined, the 22 starters listed on the depth chart include 20 players who have started at least one game. Kevin DoddKevin DoddRS Jr. Defensive End#98 6-5, 275Taylors, SCView Full Profile and Cordrea TankersleyCordrea TankersleyJr. Defensive Back#25 6-1, 195Beech Island, SCView Full Profile are the only starters listed on the two-deep who have never started a game.
The 11 players listed as starters on offense have combined to start 93 games. Center Ryan NortonRyan NortonRS Sr. Offensive Line#58 6-3, 285Simpsonville, SCView Full Profile has started the most among the returning players with 24 starts.

All 11 of the players listed as starters on offense played at least 200 plays last year. Isaiah BattleIsaiah BattleOffensive Tackle (2012 - 2015)#79 6-7, 290Brooklyn, NYView Full Profile played the most with 824 and Tyrone CrowderTyrone CrowderRS So. Offensive Guard#55 6-2, 330Marston, NCView Full Profile played the fewest among the first team players with 203.

The players listed as starters on defense have combined to start 47 games. Eight of the 11 played at least 200 snaps last year.

So where are the hot spots to watch as we head into the summer and the beginning of fall camp in two months? It starts on the line. Both of them.

Freshman Mitch HyattMitch HyattFr. Offensive Line#75 6-6, 270Sugar Hill, GAView Full Profile is listed as the backup to Isaiah Battle at left tackle, Taylor HearnTaylor HearnRS Fr. Offensive Line#51 6-4, 325Williston, SCView Full Profile as the backup to Eric Mac LainEric Mac LainRS Sr. Offensive Tackle#78 6-4, 305Hope Mills, NCView Full Profile at left guard, Justin FalcinelliJustin FalcinelliRS Fr. Offensive Tackle#50 6-3, 305Middleton, MDView Full Profile as the backup to center Ryan Norton and Jake FruhmorgenJake FruhmorgenFr. Offensive Line#63 6-5, 285Tampa, FLView Full Profile as the backup to right tackle Joe GoreJoe GoreRS Sr. Offensive Tackle#73 6-5, 290Lake Waccamaw, NCView Full Profile. We know that offensive linemen are prone to injury, and it isn’t hard to envision two of the youngsters starting at some point during the season. If three are starting, things have gone horribly and terribly wrong. The good news for the offensive line is that center Jay GuillermoJay GuillermoRS Jr. Center#57 6-3, 310Maryville, TNView Full Profile is returning to campus in June, and he can provide depth at the center and guard spots if needed.

On the defensive line, freshman Richard YearginRichard YearginRS Fr. Defensive End#49 6-4, 225Lauderdale Lakes, FLView Full Profile is listed as the backup to Shaq LawsonShaq LawsonSo. Defensive End#90 6-3, 269Central, SCView Full Profile at one defensive end spot, and converted linebacker Chris RegisterChris RegisterRS Fr. Outside Linebacker#45 6-2, 245Browns Summit, NCView Full Profile is listed as a co-second team defensive end (along with Martin AikenMartin AikenRS Jr. Defensive End#53 6-2, 255Smoaks, SCView Full Profile) behind Kevin Dodd. That’s two players who have never played a down of college football that will be counted on to provide quality snaps. They will have to grow up and grow up quick.

The top four defensive tackle spots seem to be set, but don’t count out freshman Christian WilkinsChristian WilkinsFr. Defensive Tackle# 6-5, 305Longmeadow, CTView Full Profile coming onto campus and playing well enough to earn playing time.

The Tigers are talented. The Tigers are also young at a lot of key spots. The story of the 2015 season might not be about Deshaun WatsonDeshaun WatsonSo. Quarterback#4 6-2, 205Gainesville, GAView Full Profile or some veteran – the story might be if the kids can help enough to keep Clemson in the national picture all season.